Assistant Coach Ingrid Olson (front left) with the Nanooks at NCAAs in 2008

I’ve heard a lot of B.S. in my 16 years of coaching.  And, to be fair, I have spewed a fair bit of it myself.  But, as I have gotten older, I have tried to “do more” and “talk less”.  I am just so sick of the talkers: those who talk a good game but fail to produce when it counts.  I have also gained increasing respect for those who quietly go about their business and produce results without the flash and B.S.

Ingrid Olson, our UAF assistant for skiing for the past five years, is one of those people who produces.  Ingrid has decided to pursue a career in nursing and thus resigned her post this spring.  This is a tough loss for UAF athletics and our student-athletes.  Ingrid leaves big shoes to fill.  Though she has her shortcomings, as we all do, Ingrid was an ideal assistant for one basic reason: she produced.

Ingrid did not talk a bunch of smack, she just quietly did her job.  She did not let her own ego get in the way of her responsibilities.  What made Ingrid such a good assistant was that whatever she did, she did for the good of the team.  She is trustworthy, loyal, and hardworking.  She is a doer.  Is she perfect?  No.  Did she help our team progress?  Yes.

I coached Ingrid for four years and then coached beside her for another five.  She has seen me at my worst and at my best, and she stuck with me.  I will miss her for many reasons.  The thing I will probably miss the most is her work ethic.  Ingrid is a doer.  Godspeed, Ingrid!  –SJ

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